Rotortrade, SILZ partner to launch 1st fully integrated HeliPark in Riyadh 

The facility will include multiple helipads, dedicated helicopter display areas and a comprehensive service center. Linkedin/Rotortrade
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Updated 22 December 2025
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Rotortrade, SILZ partner to launch 1st fully integrated HeliPark in Riyadh 

RIYADH: Global helicopter distributor Rotortrade has partnered with the Special Integrated Logistics Zone Co. to launch a new maintenance, sales and services hub in Riyadh, marking the Singapore-headquartered company’s first entry into the Saudi market. 

The Rotortrade HeliPark will span about 6,000 sq. meters across three floors and offer aircraft sales, maintenance, repair, completions and customer services, the companies said in a statement. 

The facility will serve as a regional operating base as Saudi Arabia seeks to attract foreign investment in advanced aviation services, with design work due to be completed by February 2026 and construction to begin immediately afterward, targeting completion within the same year. 

The project follows the acquisition of Rotortrade by the Public Investment Fund-owned The Helicopter Co. and forms part of a broader push to expand the company’s global footprint. 

The development aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aim to position the Kingdom as a global aviation and logistics hub.  

Philippe Lubrano, founder and CEO of Rotortrade, said: “The Rotortrade Helipark represents our long-term commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region.” 

He added: “It is more than just a facility — it is a destination. Clients will be able to explore our aircraft, enjoy premium hospitality, and access comprehensive end-to-end services under one roof.” 

Lubrano said the project reflects the company’s ambition to establish Rotortrade as the world’s leading global helicopter dealership and offers a unique value proposition not seen elsewhere in the rotorcraft industry. 

Fadi Al-Buhairan, CEO of SILZ, said the agreement marks a diversification of services at Riyadh Integrated, and the facility will provide “critical infrastructure that accelerates our transformation into a multimodal logistics powerhouse.” 

Al-Buhairan added that attracting aviation service providers such as Rotortrade strengthens global trade links, supports the localization of advanced technical skills, creates jobs and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional aviation hub. 

He said the investment reflects SILZ’s commitment to Vision 2030 by building local helicopter maintenance and technical capabilities, boosting exports and creating specialized career opportunities in the Kingdom. 

According to the statement, the facility will include multiple helipads, dedicated helicopter display areas and a comprehensive service center providing maintenance, repairs and operational support. 

A high-end hospitality area will also offer dedicated spaces for hosting clients, VIPs, government officials and partners, blending business engagement with industry innovation. 


Ma’aden forms JV with Hancock for mineral exploration across Saudi Arabia 

Updated 11 sec ago
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Ma’aden forms JV with Hancock for mineral exploration across Saudi Arabia 

RIYADH: A new joint venture aimed at accelerating mineral exploration across Saudi Arabia has been formed under a shareholders’ agreement between Saudi Arabian Mining Co., known as Ma’aden, and Australia-based Midana Exploration Pty Ltd, part of Hancock Prospecting.  

According to a regulatory filing, the initial work will focus on the Nabita–Ad-Duwayhi Gold Belt, following a successful bid for exploration licenses awarded by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. The licensed areas span more than 24,000 sq. km of mineral-rich territory.

The partnership comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.  

The government has accelerated licensing rounds and increased exploration incentives to boost geological mapping and downstream development. 

In a Tadawul filing, the company stated: “Maaden will own 50.1% of the capital of the Joint Venture, whilst Hancock will own 49.9% of its share capital.” 

It added: “The objects of the Joint Venture will include exploration, development, mining, sales and marketing of minerals in licensed areas in the Kingdom.”   

The shareholders’ agreement was signed on Dec. 29, with no defined duration. The initial share capital of the joint venture will be $5 million.  The entity will also approve budgets and business plans for its exploration and development operations on an ongoing basis.  

The transaction remains subject to regulatory and antitrust approvals. No related parties were identified, according to the disclosure. 

Shares of Ma’aden were trading at SR61.95 as of 2:15 PM Saudi time, reflecting a 0.32 percent decline during the day.  

Saudi Arabia has significantly ramped up its mineral exploration activity in recent years, with spending rising to SR487 per sq meter — more than double the Vision 2030 target.   

This marks a 600 percent increase over the past seven years, underscoring the Kingdom’s accelerated efforts to map its geological potential and unlock critical mineral resources.   

In 2024 alone, total exploration expenditures surpassed SR1.05 billion, supported by both government and private sector funding. The increase reflects Saudi Arabia’s strategic push to position mining as a central pillar of economic diversification under Vision 2030.